What in the word?

While travelling recently, I noticed that a lot of motels no longer supply soap in the bathroom and shower. Instead, where you would expect to find soap, there is a little paper-wrapped object called a ‘cleansing bar’. Fortunately, a cleansing bar smells, feels and works pretty much the same way as soap.

I was able to work out, after a little trial and error, that a cleansing bar was what I needed to use in the shower; but how do non-english speaking tourists cope?

I can imagine that they have worked out enough common English words so that they can have a good time when travelling and, when in need of a wash, look for something with the word ‘soap’ on it.

But when faced with a little paper packet labelled ‘cleansing bar’ they might need to reach for a dictionary. And this isn’t as much help as you might think.

Cleansing bar: becoming clean with a relatively long, evenly shaped piece of some solid substance, as metal or wood, used as a guard or obstruction or for some mechanical purpose.
Or perhaps…

Removing by or as if by cleaning a long ridge of sand, gravel, or other material near or slightly above the surface of the water at or near the mouth of a river or harbour entrance.
Doesn’t seem all that relevant, how about…

Making free from sin or guilt with a counter or place where beverages, especially liquors, or light meals are served to customers. Now you’re talking! That is some little paper packet.